'Orbiting the Giant Hairball' guides us to protect inspirational creativity in corporate environments - chucking out the rulebook seems to be the secret. Gordon Mackenzie describes the unnoticeable, incremental creep of conservatism that reins in freethinkers, creative mavericks and mad genius. He likens the web of rules, regulations and corporate policies to a hairball you can get tangled up in. Gordon instructs us to find ways of avoiding the hairball - orbiting is his metaphorical solution.

This book did a valuable thing - it made me look at how many rules I follow, doing things the way they have always been. This approach can be limiting and demoralising. I vowed to at least try to untangle myself from familiar routine and look for experimental alternatives.

‘Mezzanine' is a microanalysis of everyday objects and situations - revealing the impact of the tinniest design decisions. Nicholson Baker describes, in fine detail, his observations of familiar and everyday objects and our interactions with them. He draws conclusion as to why they are the way they are. Drinking straws, shoelaces, paper towel dispensers are discussed from a engineering, social and psychological perspective. His style is akin to a design analysis and this is why it is interesting. Reading his book is like listening to an overly analytical talk-out-loud user session. He draws attention to the tiniest of details and explores there meaning.

Some everyday human behaviour is given the same scrutiny. He dissects small talk and considers the strategic motivations behind it - with cringingly familiar conclusions.

By focusing in the small details he draws attention the bigger decisions that influence their creation. I appreciate his analysis, it supports my desire to celebrate the ubiquity of our great industry.